American politics

Pawlenty's choice

THERE is light at the end of the tunnel in Minnesota. In early June, the state Supreme Court will determine whether to throw out lower court decisions that have given the 2008 Senate race to Al Franken, the Democratic candidate and a former comedian. At that point, Tim Pawlenty, the state's Republican governor, could certify the election for Mr Franken. He's under pressure from Republicans not to, and to kick the can down the road, but new polling suggests that inaction would hurt his political career. Fifty-seven percent of voters don't want him to run for a new term as governor, thanks in large part to balking Democrats.

The conservative argument is that Mr Pawlenty, if he wants to run for president in 2012, would boost his chances if he blocks Mr Franken. That's just not true. Becoming identified with a partisan election count is the political equivilent of biting down on a cyanide capsule. What was Katherine Harris's reward for verifying the Florida election count in 2000? Two terms in Congress, sure, but a total party abandonment in 2006 when she ran for Senate. What was Ken Blackwell's reward for protecting George Bush's Ohio campaign in 2004? More disrespect from his own party, which tried to deny him the 2006 nomination for governor and then abandoned him. If Mr Pawlenty wants a political second wind, it's good news for Mr Franken.